7 Reasons to Beware Bitcoin

Of all the virtual currencies out there, BitCoin is the most interesting from a technical perspective -- and the least interesting from the business point of view. BitCoin is a peer-to-peer virtual currency that uses cryptography to control the creation and transfer of money. Farm Cash vs. Hard Cash Unlike all other currencies, BitCoin is completely independent. "It is company or organization agnostic," says Ajay Vinze, a professor at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, who is studying BitCoin. All other currencies are either based on some standard of value, or are backed by an issuing entity such as a government or corporations. Gold, for example, is a metal which has both practical and decorative uses, though many gold coins also have additional value as historical artifacts. Many BitCoin enthusiasts are attracted by BitCoin's independence, an...